Australia stages city party to welcome pair of giant pandas
Source: Agencies |
November 29, 2009, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
TWO giant pandas from China were welcomed to Australia yesterday with gifts of bamboo and a city party before settling into their new home, a 10-hectare natural enclosure at the Adelaide Zoo.
Four-year-old male Wang Wang and three-year-old female Fu Ni are on loan to the zoo for 10 years as part of a joint research program, and their arrival comes amid slightly strained relations between China and Australia.
"It's a dream come true," said zoo CEO Chris West. "It's a journey ended and a journey started."
Twelve life-size panda figures lined the runway at Adelaide airport where the animals' flight was met by state Premier Mike Rann and other state and zoo officials holding a "Welcome" sign and branches of bamboo.
An 18-vehicle convoy of floats then left the airport for downtown Adelaide where a parade through the streets was followed by a public party lasting all afternoon.
The pandas were given a police escort to the zoo, which built an A$8 million (US$7.25 million) enclosure that includes bamboo plants and refrigerated rocks to keep them comfortable in Adelaide's hot summers.
Two Chinese handlers traveled with the pandas and will stay in Adelaide for a few months to help with their adjustment.
"They're in the quarantine area and they're very happy and relaxed," zoo spokeswoman Emily Rice said as the animals settled into their new quarters, stretching their legs and munching on fruit.
The pandas will be in quarantine at the zoo for 30 days but will be visible to the public behind glass when their exhibit opens on December 14.
West said the pandas are expected to generate more than A$600 million for the South Australian state economy during their time, with an anticipated 262,000 overseas visitors and 1.3 million Australians visiting Adelaide to see the animals.
Four-year-old male Wang Wang and three-year-old female Fu Ni are on loan to the zoo for 10 years as part of a joint research program, and their arrival comes amid slightly strained relations between China and Australia.
"It's a dream come true," said zoo CEO Chris West. "It's a journey ended and a journey started."
Twelve life-size panda figures lined the runway at Adelaide airport where the animals' flight was met by state Premier Mike Rann and other state and zoo officials holding a "Welcome" sign and branches of bamboo.
An 18-vehicle convoy of floats then left the airport for downtown Adelaide where a parade through the streets was followed by a public party lasting all afternoon.
The pandas were given a police escort to the zoo, which built an A$8 million (US$7.25 million) enclosure that includes bamboo plants and refrigerated rocks to keep them comfortable in Adelaide's hot summers.
Two Chinese handlers traveled with the pandas and will stay in Adelaide for a few months to help with their adjustment.
"They're in the quarantine area and they're very happy and relaxed," zoo spokeswoman Emily Rice said as the animals settled into their new quarters, stretching their legs and munching on fruit.
The pandas will be in quarantine at the zoo for 30 days but will be visible to the public behind glass when their exhibit opens on December 14.
West said the pandas are expected to generate more than A$600 million for the South Australian state economy during their time, with an anticipated 262,000 overseas visitors and 1.3 million Australians visiting Adelaide to see the animals.
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